Virginia Politics Blog

Kaine talks energy, borrows a phrase in new ad

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Timothy M. Kaine takes to to the sky in a new ad outlining his energy strategy.

The 30-second spot is titled “Unleashed,” which borrows a favorite energy-related phrase of Kaine’s opponent, George Allen.

The ad features Kaine in speaking through a headset while flying in a helicopter over Wise County’s Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center.

“This state-of-the-art coal plant in Southwest Virginia, where my wife’s from, created 2,500 new jobs,” Kaine says. “As governor, I supported its construction. I also support offshore energy, conservation and innovative investments in wind and solar which together employ more than 66,000 Virginians.”

He adds, “that’s what I call unleashing our energy potential,” echoing an oft-used line from Allen.

“Some may say imitation is the highest form of flattery – but it won’t rewrite Tim Kaine’s record of advocating against Virginia energy,” read a response from the Allen campaign. “The fact is the Wise County plant could not be opened under the job-destroying EPA regulations that Tim Kaine’s liberal environmentalist allies cheer while he stands silent.”

The Allen campaign response also included quotes from Del. Terry G. Kilgore, R-Scott, and Rep. H. Morgan Griffith, R-9th, port Kaine as an enemy of the coal industry and supporter of cap-and-trade policies.

The ad is the fourth English-language ad from Kaine’s campaign, which has paid for $4.5 million in air time through Nov. 6. Kaine has also released an ad in Spanish.